I grew up in the smallest county in Pennsylvania and the owner of our Tastee-freez had a train that would deliver food to your table back in the 70s, but I’m not sure exactly when he put it in. Long gone now though sadly.

I went to a similar place in Tokyo. It was fun, aside from one issue. I ordered three plates, which arrived on one train. Due to a fault in evolution, I only have two hands. I grabbed two of the plates, but before I could reach up to take the third, the train shot back into the kitchen.

With some help from the guy next to me, we eventually managed to communicate what had happened, and it came back a couple of minutes later.

Sakura - Their sushi bar is in the middle of the room, with counter top surrounding the chefs at work in an oblong shape, around which there is a scale model train track and train with a bunch of flatbed cars attached, onto which the chefs place the plates of sushi as it makes it’s way around the bar. Yes, this is the Midwest version of “conveyor belt sushi” This was popular enough, they opened a second location that is almost nothing but the sushi train.

Fritz’s - A diner established in the 50’s, now with 3 locations. Each table has a phone - push the button, and place your order via the handset. Overhead are tracks, on which trains run carrying your food, delivered via basket that the train drops onto a platform that lowers to your table. it actually works much much better than it seems it should from this description. But, someone still delivers your drinks by hand, which is probably for the best.

While visiting my son near Kumamoto (southern japan) late last year we went for sushi at a place that had 2 layers, the top one was the usual sushi boat/conveyor-belt, the bottom layer was essentially special orders by trains